Father of dead children thanks community for support

In a brief news conference that lasted just over a minute, the father of three young children found dead on the weekend in Drummondville thanked those who have supported his family, saying he had no words to describe the pain he was experiencing.

Patrick Desautels had originally asked for privacy as the family mourned before announcing late Monday he would hold a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.

"Firstly I'd like to thank you for coming here today. I want to thank all those who wanted to help me and my family in this tragedy, thank you all for your support and your kind words. The pain we feel -- we can’t explain it.

"There is a police investigation at this time and, because of that, I can't answer questions in order to not interfere with the investigation," Desautels said, before leaving the podium.

The bodies of two-year-old Lorelie and five-year-old Anais, both girls, and four-year-old Loic, a boy, were found by police responding to a 911 call Sunday at their mother's home.

The mother of the children, 33-year-old Sonia Blanchette, was taken from the home on a stretcher Sunday with undisclosed injuries.

Blanchette remains in hospital and, as of Monday evening, had not yet spoken to police. She is considered an "important witness" in the investigation.

In an earlier statement, Desautels described the deaths as an "inexplicable" tragedy.

"We are currently together as a family and this tragedy leaves us without words," Desautels wrote. "The police investigation will tell us more about the circumstances of the tragedy. What has taken place is inexplicable."

Desautels added that he will miss his children for the rest of his life.

Police have not revealed how the children died or where they were found inside the apartment, which is located on the second floor of the red-brick duplex. One autopsy was completed on Monday morning, however the coroner said he would issue no report until all three were finished.

One neighbour previously told CTV Montreal she heard screams from the home and believes they came from the children's grandmother.

Other neighbours reported seeing the children's father at the home earlier on Sunday, but this information has not been confirmed by police.

Neighbours also said they believe the father had primary custody of the children.

Last year, Blanchette was arrested and charged with breaking a custody order. That case is still before the courts.

The funeral for the three siblings will take place Saturday Dec. 8, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Saint-Andre d'Acton Vale church.